Euro 2008 - UEFA - Page 20 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

VANFLAMESFAN · 06-12-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

You must not watch the World Cup much then, some of those African countries play some great soccer. I love watching Nigeria, Cameroon. These are countries that play a tough grinding game. Yeah, you're going to have some minnow teams in there, there have to be.

By this standard you dont want to see teams like Canada in there either, you just want the current top 20 teams in the world to play each other over and over and over.

If smaller teams dont get into big tournaments like this they'll never improve, and that includes Canada. Look at Switzerland and Austria, they're the minnows of this tournament and I think they've played some great games.

Yeah, you're right, I don't watch WC soccer.

To comment on your post, I never said I think the World Cup is bad, I love watching the tourney, I watch plenty of the games, but I enjoy the Euro better as an overall tournament. I know I'm not the only one with that mindset. The percentage of quality teams is far greater. There are some dreadful teams in the WC and I don't need to watch them play each other.

And in terms of soccer quality, no, I wouldn't want Canada to make it. Let's face it, they don't play an attractive style of soccer, and wouldn't make the tournament more appealing. But being a Canadian, I would love for them to get in, and would cheer for them as hard as I would Portugal. I actually have a 50 dollar bet that they get in for 2010.

Thunderball · 06-12-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Yeah, you're right, I don't watch WC soccer.

To comment on your post, I never said I think the World Cup is bad, I love watching the tourney, I watch plenty of the games, but I enjoy the Euro better as an overall tournament. I know I'm not the only one with that mindset. The percentage of quality teams is far greater. There are some dreadful teams in the WC and I don't need to watch them play each other.

And in terms of soccer quality, no, I wouldn't want Canada to make it. Let's face it, they don't play an attractive style of soccer, and wouldn't make the tournament more appealing. But being a Canadian, I would love for them to get in, and would cheer for them as hard as I would Portugal. I actually have a 50 dollar bet that they get in for 2010.

I agree with you... watching the weaker teams in the WC can be painful... however, I respect that they made it. If Canada can make the WC, all the power to them... however, I don't think its right to plop a team of their ilk as host and watch them be painfully pummeled without scoring a single goal and hail it as growing the game.

I prefer the Euro Cup because it is 14 of the best teams in Europe with one mediocre host, and one poor host that got a despicable PK. Every team is capable of winning, despite the big teams being that little bit better on paper.

jammies · 06-13-2008, 12:39 AM

I just watched the repeat of the Austria-Poland game and I can't believe the Poles screwed that up - aaaaargggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! To be fair, the Austrians should have scored at least 1 or 2 or even 3 in the first 15 minutes, but that was still a huge chokejob, and I think has pretty well screwed them as far as advancing goes. The Poles needed these 3 points, as you can be almost certain the Germans aren't going to get beat again.

Maybe the Germans weren't as creative as I thought, and the Polish defence is just brutal. There were some absolutely clueless decisions out there by the Polish defenders that should have cost them, and only the keeper had his head in the game before the 2nd half.

The announcer alluded to "problems" with the Polish team; I can believe it, as they have played some terribly undisciplined football. It's going to take a miracle now for my boys to get anywhere...

Locke · 06-13-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Yeah, you're right, I don't watch WC soccer.

To comment on your post, I never said I think the World Cup is bad, I love watching the tourney, I watch plenty of the games, but I enjoy the Euro better as an overall tournament. I know I'm not the only one with that mindset. The percentage of quality teams is far greater. There are some dreadful teams in the WC and I don't need to watch them play each other.

And in terms of soccer quality, no, I wouldn't want Canada to make it. Let's face it, they don't play an attractive style of soccer, and wouldn't make the tournament more appealing. But being a Canadian, I would love for them to get in, and would cheer for them as hard as I would Portugal. I actually have a 50 dollar bet that they get in for 2010.

Canada acquitted themselves well at the U20 world cup despite not scoring a goal. I watched all their games and even went to the one in Edmonton and they've improved vastly over the years.

As for the minnows that you hate watching, those teams still have fans of their own that are proud that they made it despite their slim chances.

I find it fun to watch teams with different styles play each other, African teams vs. European teams or South American teams vs African teams, etc. Rather than just Euro vs. Euro. Sure, you might say its higher quality, but for a lot of people its just names that they recognize.

Anyways, enough about that, alright Thunderball, it looks like you got your wish, Italin changes. I noticed they ditched Ambrosini, but for some inexplicable reason Pannuci manages to make his way into the side.

Ther Italians need a result today.

Pagal4321 · 06-13-2008, 10:38 AM

C'mon Romania!!! ELIMINATE THE AZZURI!

Locke · 06-13-2008, 10:39 AM

Panucci is going to cost this team. Why is he on?

I'm no Italian fan by any stretch of the imagination, but man is this guy bad. Buffon has made 3 great saves so far, Romanian keeper? None.

The Italians have had the edge in chances but just havent been able to hit the net.

Why have the Romanians tested Buffon so much? Because nobody knows WTF Panucci is doing. He's let Mutu by him 3 times now and we're only 30 minutes in.

604flames · 06-13-2008, 11:13 AM

YES Romania!

Flame Of Liberty · 06-13-2008, 11:14 AM

Yeah baby! Mutu!

What a play by Zambrotta

604flames · 06-13-2008, 11:15 AM

Somebody asked a few pages ago why Russia and Turkey are in UEFA, I think the better question would be why club teams from Israel, Georgia, and Azerbaijan can qualify for the Champions League?

EDIT: so much for that Romanian lead hey!

Flame Of Liberty · 06-13-2008, 11:15 AM

Panucci scores. Good call Locke

sadora · 06-13-2008, 11:41 AM

Anyone watching the Italy game right now...man did Buffon ever make a brilliant save on a bs penalty call.

Suave · 06-13-2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Panucci scores. Good call Locke

Well he was almost the goat again. What a save and what a game so far.

Pagal4321 · 06-13-2008, 11:42 AM

I hope this game ends in a draw.

Locke · 06-13-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suave

Well he was almost the goat again. What a save and what a game so far.

Yeah, but in all fairness that was a pretty weak penalty call, I'm glad Buffon saved it. Seemed soft. But thanks to Panucci for almost single-handedly sending Italy home in the 80th minute.

united · 06-13-2008, 11:51 AM

Oh man that was a terrible penalty call but I had a huge grin on my face. If only Mutu would have converted!
Come on Romania!

Game over. Great result. Yes!

Locke · 06-13-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by united

Oh man that was a terrible penalty call but I had a huge grin on my face. If only Mutu would have converted!Come on Romania!

Italy a bit hard done by with this call against de Rossi. Looked like a decent tackle, a little from behind but not worth a yellow.

Italy is in serious trouble. We'll have to see how the Dutch/France game shakes out.

They have the same record as Austria except Austria has a better goal difference.

GirlySports · 06-13-2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sadora

Anyone watching the Italy game right now...man did Buffon ever make a brilliant save on a bs penalty call.

Yes a bs call but then Toni was dragged down about 2 minutes later on a much more clear cut chance and no penalty call.

One bad call deserves another if that's the precident the ref is setting.

And last night was a bs penalty call too. The reffing in this tournament has been a disgrace.

VANFLAMESFAN · 06-13-2008, 12:02 PM

Italy in a world of hurt now, I LOVE IT!!!!

GirlySports · 06-13-2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Panucci is going to cost this team. Why is he on?

Cause the coach likes him? I dunno.

Italy won the World Cup for a reason in 2006.. cause guys like Panucci, Cassano and Ambrossini weren't there. Why this coach is recycling players when they have many many youngsters in Serie A nobody knows.

Locke · 06-13-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Yes a bs call but then Toni was dragged down about 2 minutes later on a much more clear cut chance and no penalty call.

One bad call deserves another if that's the precident the ref is setting.

And last night was a bs penalty call too. The reffing in this tournament has been a disgrace.

Toni should have gotten a yellow for diving and then handling the ball. That was not a penalty.

I'll agree that the penalty against the Italians was weak, no question. The Penalty against the Polish was even softer. But Toni was diving headfirst for that ball, missed and fell. That was a good call. To me it looked like he was trying for a diving header but misjudged it and then figured he'd give complaining to the ref a try.